May Showers May Lead to June Prevented Planting Decisions

By: Eric Richer, Associate Professor and Field Specialist, Farm Management, OSU Extension; Carl Zulauf, Professor Emeritus, OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics; and Aaron Wilson, Assistant Professor and Field Specialist, Ag Weather and Climate, OSU Extension

Note: this is a cross posting of an article posted on the Farm Office Blog on May 29.

According to the May 27 Crop Progress Report by USDA National Ag Statistics Service, Ohio had only 54% of corn planted, well behind the 5-year average of 73% planted. In 2024, 74% was planted by this report date. In 2019, a year with significant planting delay, only 22% of the corn had been planted by this report date. In that year, the wettest spring conditions were confined to northwest Ohio. In contrast, much more of the state has received well above average precipitation in 2025, with areas near the Ohio River and northeast Ohio seeing the largest difference compared to normal.

The lag in corn planting progress this year has prompted increasing interest in evaluating the Prevented Planting option available through multi-peril crop insurance. The purpose of this article is to walk through the options, mechanics, and economics of electing prevented planting for your corn crop utilizing 2025 values.

We are not crop insurance agents, so our most important message is that for those thinking about prevented planting talk sooner rather than later with your insurance agent.

In Ohio, June 5 is the date at which prevented planting becomes an electable option.  For soybeans, the date is June 20.

As of June 5, a farmer who has individual farm yield (YP) and revenue (RP and RP-HPE) insurance for corn has 3 basic options:

Option 1: Plant corn. Until June 5, you are eligible for your full guarantee at the coverage level you elected. Using the 20-year USDA-NASS Trendline Ohio corn yield of 190 bu/acre as the Actual Production History (APH) insurance yield and the $4.70/bu 2025 projected insurance price for corn, the full guarantee at 80% coverage is $714/acre (190 x $4.70 x 80%). If you elect to plant corn after June 5, your guarantee declines 1% per day through June 25. For example, if you plant corn on June 8, the guarantee formula (190 APH, 80% coverage) would be: 80% x 190 bu/ac x $4.70 x 97% = $693/acre. If you plant after June 25, you can choose not to insure your corn crop or you can insure at the policy’s prevented planting revenue level. Planting dates need to be recorded, as rules apply on a field-by-field and acre-by-acre basis.

Option 2: Switch from corn to another crop, most likely soybeans. You are charged the soybean insurance premium, not the corn premium. A key agronomy question: Did you apply a chemistry that prevents you from planting soybeans? June weather (local and regional), supply/demand economics, geo-political issues, trade policy and input options increase the complexity of this decision.

Option 3: File for prevented planting, assuming corn is not planted by June 5. The mechanics of prevented planting are important. To qualify for prevented planting, a crop must have been planted, harvested, and insured on the acres in question in one of the last four years. Prevented planting acres must total at least 20 acres or 20% of the insured land unit (lesser of the two). Consult your crop insurance agent to determine your total eligible acres, as this is a key question. Also, prevented planting claims can be denied if prevented planting is not common in your area.

A corn policy has a standard 55% prevented planting guarantee (buy-up available to 60%). To be very clear, the Harvest Price Option does not apply. Prevented planting indemnity payments are not re-adjusted to a higher harvest price. Prevented planting does not affect your yield history as long as you do not plant a second crop.

To continue our example from above, the indemnity payment for prevented planting corn would be: 190 bu/ac x $4.70 x 80% coverage x 55% prevented planting rate = $393/acre. Please remember that this calculation can vary widely based on coverage level elected (50-85%), prevented planting buy up (55% to 60%) and the insured APH yield for the claimed acres. In our example, this $393/acre would also be the amount at which you could chose to insure a corn crop planted after June 25 (versus no insurance at all).

In comparing and evaluating the three options, questions to ask include:

  • What inputs (fertilizer, chemicals, etc.) have already been applied?
  • Will you need to pay ‘restocking fees’ for returned seed or other inputs?
  • Does my applied chemistry limit my options?
  • What are the year-long weed control costs?
  • If utilizing cover crops, what will their cost be?
  • Is the land owned, or cash or share rented?
  • Will the prevented planting indemnity cover costs already incurred and the fixed costs of Land, Labor, and Management?
  • What do I save on machinery wear and tear by not planting and harvesting?
  • What are potential additional drying costs due to late harvesting?
  • What is my expected price at harvest?
  • Are there missed opportunity costs (marketing) because of taking prevented planting?
  • What effect does your crop insurance unit structure have on your decision?
  • What are livestock feed needs?
  • Are there costs associated with not fulfilling forward contracted corn?
  • Do I want to tile the field?

This article does not address these questions, but you should address them and probably already have started to do so.

Prevented planting insurance payments can qualify for a 1-year deferral for inclusion in income tax. If this is a consideration for you, please talk to your insurance agent and tax professional as specific conditions must be met. Check out a previous farm office blog for more insight.

A summary comparison is net return to the prevented planting option vs. net return to planting a crop. This comparison involves a number of assumptions about price, yield, and cost. This is decision making under uncertainty. Your assumptions may or may not turn out to be accurate.

Reporting prevented planting acres, should you elect that option, is quite simple. To report prevented planting acres, you first need to turn in a notice (starting June 6) to your insurance agent. Then report prevented planting to USDA Farm Service Agency to get it on your acreage report. Then, work with your adjuster to finalize the claim, which will generally be paid within 30 days. NOTE: total acres of prevented planting corn that you can file in 2025 cannot exceed the greatest number of acres of corn you reported in any of the previous four years (2021-2024).

Every farmer’s situation has unique considerations.  We encourage you to run the numbers for yourself and make an informed farm management decision with the tools you have available and in consultation with your crop insurance agent.

References:

Richer. E., Bruynis, C.  (2019). Prevent plant…What’s That Again? OSU’s Ohio Ag Manager Bloghttps://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/2019/05/23/prevent-plantwhats-that-again/

Richer. E., Bruynis, C. (2022). Evaluating the Prevent Plant Option. OSU’s Ohio Ag Manager Bloghttps://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/2022/06/09/evaluating-the-prevent-plant-option/

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (2025). Crop Progress-May 27, 2025.https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/8336h188j/8049j4596/gx41pg805/prog2125.pdf

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (2019). Crop Progress-May 28, 2019. https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/8336h188j/4b29bg92m/8910k3910/prog2219.pdf

USDA Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (2024).  Prevented Planting Standards Handbook. November 11, 2024. https://www.rma.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/2025-25370-Prevented-Planting-Standards-Handbook.pdf

Coffee and Grain Marketing Zoom to be held on May 16 at 7:30 a.m.

OSU Extension invites grain producers and industry personnel to attend the quarterly grain market conversation with Dr. Seungki Lee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) on Friday, May 16  from 7:30 – 8:00 a.m.

During this Zoom webinar, Dr. Lee will provide his insights on the May 2025 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) Crop Report which is scheduled to be released on May 12. This early morning webinar will be a great way for Ohio farmers to learn more about the factors impacting the corn, soybean, and wheat markets. Producers are encouraged to bring their questions to this early morning conversation.

CoffeewithSeungkiLee2025-final

There is no fee to attend this quarterly webinar session. Pre-registration can be made at go.osu.edu/coffeewithDrLee

These webinars are sponsored by: OSU Extension, Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute (FFMPI), and Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE).

2025 Second Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio

By: Amanda Bennett, Eric Richer, Clint Schroeder, OSU Extension

Click here to read PDF version of this article

The second quarter results from a survey of Ohio fertilizer retailers showed prices in Ohio were generally lower compared to the national averages reported by Progressive Farmer – DTN (Quinn, April 2025). The survey was completed by nine retailers, representing nine counties, who do business in the state of Ohio. Respondents were asked to quote spot prices as of the first day of the quarter (April 1st) based on sale type.

The survey found the average prices of fertilizer were lower in Ohio compared to the national prices for all major fertilizers except DAP. However, only two were significantly lower (more than 5%): 28% UAN was 10% lower and 10-34-0 APP was 6% lower than the national average. The national average price for DAP was the same as in Ohio.

When compared to prices from the last quarter’s Ohio survey, three fertilizers were up significantly (more than 5%): 28% UAN, up to $341/ton from $292/ton; urea, up to $561/ton from $491/ton; and potash, up to $449/ton from $415/ton.

When compared to the April 2024 average Ohio prices, the April 2025 average Ohio prices were slightly lower for anhydrous, 28% UAN, MAP, DAP, and potash. Ammonium sulfate is the only product that saw a significant price increase (+20.2%) in the last year.  Urea, ammonium thiosulfate, and poultry litter remained relatively unchanged (+/-1%) from one year ago.

The chart below (Table 1.) is the summary of the survey responses. The responses (n) are the number of survey responses for each product. The minimum and maximum values reflect the minimum and maximum values reported in the survey. The average is the simple average of all survey responses for each product rounded to the nearest dollar. We recognize that many factors influence a company’s spot price for fertilizer including but not limited to availability, geography, volume, cost of freight, competition, regulation, etc.

Table 1. Second Quarter 2025 Ohio Fertilizer Prices

Product Responses

(n)

Sale Type Min

$/ton

Max

$/ton

Avg

$/ton

NH3 7 FOB Plant 740 800 763
UAN 28-0-0 9 Direct to Farm 315 375 341
Urea 46-0-0 9 FOB Plant 535 575 561
MAP 11-52-0 9 FOB Plant 760 830 790
DAP18-46-0 4 FOB Plant 760 795 778
APP 10-34-0 7 Direct to Farm 461 690 617
Potash 0-0-60 9 FOB Plant 425 465 449
Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0-24 9 FOB Plant 535 625 576
Thio-Sulfate 12-0-0-26 9 FOB Plant 356 395 383
Poultry Litter 4 Delivered and applied, < 25 miles 50 65 57

 

Due to low responses, diesel fuel prices were not included in Quarter 2 survey results. If you are a retailer interested in participating in this study, please contact Amanda Bennett at bennett.709@osu.edu.

References

Quinn, R. 2025. DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends. DTN Progressive Farmer. Accessed online April 16, 2025 at https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2025/04/16/three-fertilizers-lead-prices-higher

Bennett, A., Richer, E., & Schroeder, C, (2025). 2025 First Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio. Farm Office Blog. https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farm-management/quarterly-fertilizer-price-summary

Bennett, A., Richer, E., & Schroeder, C, (2024). 2024 Second Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio. Farm Office Blog. https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farm-management/quarterly-fertilizer-price-summary

 

Farm Office Live Webinar Schedule for April 25 at 10:00 a.m.

We’re preparing for another edition of our monthly webinar, Farm Office Live, on Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m.  Our featured guest this month is Dr. Margaret Jodlowski, Asst. Professor in the Dept. of Agricultural Environmental and Development Economics, who will discuss farm labor issues with us.  Our remaining agenda features the Farm Office team addressing these topics:

  • Strategies for Developing the Next Leader of Your Farm Operation – David Marrison, Farm Management Field Specialist
  • Crop Profit Outlook – Barry Ward, Production Business Management Leader
  • Farm Business Analysis Update – Clint Schroeder, Farm Business Analysis Program Manager
  • State and Federal Legislative Update – Peggy Hall, Agricultural & Resource Law Program Director
  • New Laws: Paystub Protection Act and Operation of Drones – Jeff Lewis, Agricultural & Resource Law/Tax Schools Attorney
  • Tax Update: Are Avian Flu Indemnifications Exempt? – Barry Ward and Jeff Lewis
  • Upcoming Events and Deadlines – David Marrison

Join in for this free webinar by registering at farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive, where replays of previous webinars are also available. We hope to see you there!

 

Farm Office Live Webinar Slated for Friday, March 28 at 10:00 a.m.

OSU Extension will be offering a Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, March 28 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Farm Office Live is a monthly webinar of updates and outlooks on legal, economic, and farm management issues that affect Ohio agriculture. Topics which will be addressed during this webinar include:

  • Grain Contract Law and Legal Considerations
  • Legislative Update
  • Enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act
  • Crop Margin Outlook, Ohio Farm Sales Data, and Tax Update
  • Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
  • Payment Limitation Rules
  • Farm Asset and Resource Management Spreadsheet (FARMS)
  • Beginner’s Guide to Farmland Ownership
  • Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Featured speakers include: Peggy Hall, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Barry Ward and guest speakers Eli Earich and Tyler Zimpfer.

Register for this and future Farm Office Live webinars through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

Past recordings and additional information about the Farm Office Live Webinars can be accessed at:

https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive

Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference

The 2nd Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference will take place on April 4, 2025, at Bell Manor in Chillicothe, Ohio. The program will commence at 9:00 AM and will feature a day of engaging speakers, valuable networking opportunities, interactive workshops, and vendor exhibits.

Click here for a program flyer

Conference Highlights

  • Grant Writing Strategies—Gwynn Stewart, Assistant Director of Community Development and author of grant writing, will provide insights on identifying funding opportunities, crafting competitive applications, and building relationships with potential funders.
  • Marketing for Agricultural Businesses – Christy Welch and Kate Hornyak from OSU Extension Direct Marketing will offer guidance on effective marketing techniques to enhance audience engagement and business growth.
  • “From Soil to Success” Panel Discussion – A panel of experienced women farmers will share their insights and expertise:
    • Mandy Way – Farmers’ Markets
    • Dana Workman – Livestock
    • Liz Fundergurgh – Agronomic Crops
    • Alanna Reisinger – Floriculture Production
  • Photography for Marketing – Jenny Stoneking and Christy Millhouse of OSU Extension will lead a session on capturing high-quality images for promotional purposes using iPads, cameras, and mobile phones.
  • Hands-on Floral Workshop: Participants will learn the fundamentals of processing tulips into a floral arrangement and layering bulbs to cultivate multi-season blooms featuring daffodils, tulips, and crocuses. Each participant will leave with a floral arrangement.

Registration Details

The registration fee is $50, and participants may register online at go.osu.edu/womeninagconf. The deadline to register is March 28, 2025.

We invite women involved in agriculture to attend this enriching event, designed to foster professional growth, enhance skill development, and strengthen connections within the agricultural community.

For additional information, contact: Ryan Slaughter, OSU Extension Ross County at slaughter.71@osu.edu or by calling 740-702-3200 or visit our website or contact the event organizers. We look forward to your participation.

OSU Extension Small Farm Conference to be held – at Ohio State University Wooster Shisler Center Wooster, Ohio

By: Julie Wayman, Community Development Educator – OSU Extension Ashtabula County

Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Wooster, OH on March 8th. The theme for this year’s Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”

Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operation. There will be five different conference tracks including: Horticulture and Crop Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and Diversifying Your Enterprise.

Some conference topic highlights include: Growing in a Hoophouse, Integrated Disease Management Strategies for Apple and Peaches, High Tunnel Tour, Using Cover Crops for Soil Regeneration, Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects on the Farm, Growing Microgreens, Money to Grow: Grants 101, Growing Your Farm With Agritourism, Navigating Licenses/Certificates for your Small Farm Market, How Can Value – Added Help Your Farm, Vaccination Programs for a Small Farm, Grassfed Beef Tour.

Anyone interested in developing, growing or diversifying their small farm is invited to attend including market gardeners, farmers market vendors, and anyone interested in small farm living.

Attendees will have the opportunity to browse a trade show featuring the newest and most innovative ideas and services for their farming operation. The conference provides an opportunity to talk with the vendors and network with others.

The Conference will take place on March 8th from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Ohio State University Wooster Campus Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster, Ohio 44691. The registration fee is $100 per person.

For conference and registration information call OSU Extension Morrow County 419-947-1070, or OSU Extension Knox County 740-397-0401.

Please follow this link to register for the conference: https://Go.osu.edu/2025smallfarmconference

 

 

 

Farm Office Live Webinar to be held on February 21 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon

OSU Extension will be offering a Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, February 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Farm Office Live is a monthly webinar of updates and outlooks on legal, economic, and farm management issues that affect Ohio agriculture. Topics which will be addressed during the January webinar include:

  • 2025 Farm Bill Sign-up
  • Dairy Margin Coverage Sign-up
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Giving Strategies
  • Legislative Update
  • Electronic Signatures in Today’s Digital Age
  • Spring Crop Insurance Update
  • Updated Outlook for Crop Margins
  • Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents Survey
  • Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Featured speakers include: Peggy Hall, Jason Hartschuh, Jeff Lewis, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Eric Richer, Clint Schroeder, Barry Ward and John Woods – Guest

Register for this and future Farm Office Live webinars through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

Past recordings and additional information about the Farm Office Live Webinars can be accessed at:

https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive

East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference Celebrates 10 Years

For the 10th year, Ohio State University (OSU) Extension will empower women, high school-age and beyond through its East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference. The event will take place on March 21, 2025, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Shisler Conference Center 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691.

Click here for the program flyer

This year’s program will feature 24 break-out sessions in 6 tracks including: Plants, Animals, Business & Marketing, Home & Family, Special Interest, and Personal Development. These informative and interactive sessions are presented by Ohio State University Extension educators, farmers, industry professionals, and partner agencies.

We are thrilled to have international speaker, author, and farm coach, Elaine Froese, at our conference this spring. She’s on a mission to guide farm families, across North America, to get unstuck, communicate better, find harmony through understanding, and secure a profitable farm legacy. Elaine is traveling from her home farm in Manitoba, Canada to speak with us! She will share a special keynote about Living an Intentional Life, will teach a breakout session to help tackle tough family conversations, and will have Coach on Call individual sessions available throughout the day. Every participant will also receive two of Elaine’s books in electronic format and a hard copy of Elaine’s book, “Farming’s In-Law Factor.” You can learn more about Elaine Froese at elainefroese.com.

“This conference connects women of all ages to not only each other but also to meaningful informational resources for their journey in agriculture.” Kelsie Mannasmith, Ohio State student said, “Through Elaine Froese and other guest presenters the 10th anniversary will help women continue, or even begin their paths in agriculture.”

Registration information can be found at go.osu.edu/eowiareg25  and you can learn about sponsorship opportunities at go.osu.edu/eowiasponsor25

 

 

OSU Extension Small Farm Conference to be held – at Ohio State University Wooster Shisler Center Wooster, Ohio

Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Wooster, OH on March 8th. The theme for this year’s Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”

Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operation. There will be five different conference tracks including: Horticulture and Crop Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and Diversifying Your Enterprise. Click here for complete registration and program detail

Some conference topic highlights include: Growing in a Hoophouse, Integrated Disease Management Strategies for Apple and Peaches, High Tunnel Tour, Using Cover Crops for Soil Regeneration, Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects on the Farm, Growing Microgreens, Money to Grow: Grants 101, Growing Your Farm With Agritourism, Navigating Licenses/Certificates for your Small Farm Market, How Can Value – Added Help Your Farm, Vaccination Programs for a Small Farm, Grassfed Beef Tour.

Anyone interested in developing, growing or diversifying their small farm is invited to attend including market gardeners, farmers market vendors, and anyone interested in small farm living.

Attendees will have the opportunity to browse a trade show featuring the newest and most innovative ideas and services for their farming operation. The conference provides an opportunity to talk with the vendors and network with others. The full conference registration fee is $100 which includes access to all presentations, trade show and lunch.

The Conference will take place on March 8th from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Ohio State University Wooster Campus Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster, Ohio 44691.

For conference and registration information call OSU Extension Morrow County 419-947-1070, or OSU Extension Knox County 740-397-0401. Please follow this link to register for the conference: https://go.osu.edu/2025smallfarmconference